Reusing Packaging | ETERNITY Systems

Last updated: 11 / 03 / 2026

Reusing packaging is a circular economy system where packaging is designed to be used multiple times for the same purpose, instead of being discarded after a single use.
By preserving the function of the object rather than just its material, reuse is placed at the top of the hierarchy of waste treatment methods. Reusing packaging also responds to a range of legislation. such as the AGEC law or the European PPWR Regulation and the rise of CSR expectations for companies in the agri-food, logistics and mass distribution sectors.

ETERNITY SystemsWith its 30 years of expertise in industrial washing and circular logistics, we give you all the keys to understand, choose and deploy reusable packaging.

Reusable packaging in summary

Reusable packaging remains a product throughout its entire lifecycle.that is to say, it is designed from the outset to accomplish several dozen, or even several hundred rotations, that is to say, several complete cycles of use of the packaging without losing its function.
The AGEC law requires companies to reach 10% reused packaging by 2027, with reporting obligations from 10,000 units placed on the market.
Reuse, beyond the choice of packaging, also implies an organized circuit collection, transport, industrial washing, quality control and traceability which mobilizes the entire value chain.
By extending the lifespan of packaging, reuse mechanically reduces the consumption of raw materials.greenhouse gas emissions and waste production. From an economic perspective, the more a package is recycled, the lower its unit cost becomes, making it a lever for sustainable competitiveness for companies, with a measurable impact on their costs and carbon footprint.

What is reusable packaging?

Reusable packaging is, according to the environmental code, packaging: " designed, created and placed on the market to be able to complete several journeys or rotations during its life cycle by being refilled or reused for the same purpose for which it was designed. »

In practical terms, this means that the packaging is "reusable" by design.because it was designed, created and put on the market to perform multiple rotations. It then becomes "reused" at the time of its second use, once it has been washed, checked and used again for a purpose.

It is this ability to to complete several rotations without losing its primary function which distinguishes reusable packaging from single-use packaging or packaging that is simply recyclable, because it does not become waste, it retains its status as a product throughout its life cycle.

What is the difference between reusable, reusable and recyclable packaging?

Packaging reuse differs from recycling, which requires the destruction of the material, and from repurposing, which legally applies to an object that has already acquired the status of waste.

Reusing packaging : reuse refers to the repeated use of packaging for the same purpose for which it was originally designed. without it ever becoming legally considered waste. identical. For example: a returnable glass bottle brought back to the store, washed in a specialized center, then refilled with the same beverage is a reuse of packaging.

Packaging recycling Recycling is a recovery process where packaging, now waste, is physically destroyed to extract its contents. the raw material, which will then be transformed to create a new object.For example: A discarded glass bottle, crushed into cullet, then melted in a furnace at 1550°C to mold a brand new bottle is packaging recycling.

Reusing packaging Reuse specifically concerns packaging that has initially acquired the status of waste (discarded by its holder) before being recovered to be used againIt falls somewhere between reuse and recycling in terms of impact, as it requires end-of-life management before being put back into circulation. For example: A used container deposited at a waste disposal center that is recovered, cleaned, and reconditioned for reuse is packaging reuse.

Reusable packaging is the the most virtuous form circular economy for packaging because it avoids any transformation of matter and minimizes energy consumption related to reprocessing or remanufacturing.

What are the different forms of packaging reuse?

The reuse of packaging is organized according to two main channels:

Packaging intended for end consumers
Packaging used in professional circuits.

For household packaging

For household packaging, that is, packaging intended for the end consumer, there is 3 forms of packaging reuse :

Pre-packaged with return (or reuse by the professional) Here, the consumer buys a product sold in packaging designed for reuse. Once the product is consumed, the consumer returns the empty packaging to a collection point (store, collection point); this is often called a deposit system. The packaging is then collected by a professional for transport, industrial washing, inspection, and refilling.

Bulk or reuse by the consumer : here the products are sold without primary packaging, that is to say the consumer brings his own clean container to the store or buys a reusable one on site and he chooses the exact quantity of product he wishes to buy and fills his own container.

Home charging Here, the consumer keeps a sturdy main container (called the “parent” container) at home and buys refills to keep it topped up. The refill is often a lighter or more flexible container not designed for standalone use, but it helps extend the lifespan of the main container.

To be effective, theReuse systems require consumer engagement in order to guarantee high return rates of packaging, often exceeding 90% in well-established systems.

For professional packaging

In the professional field, Reusing packaging takes four forms depending on the organization of the flows and the actors involved:

The closed loop The packaging circulates within the same company or group of actors. A supplier delivers to its customers, then collects its packaging for reuse.

The open loop Packaging (such as standardized crates) circulates between several different companies and actors (producers, distributors), which maximizes the rate of use and reduces the cost per rotation.

Outsourced packaging management : a specialized company, such as ETERNITY SystemsThe company manages the entire cycle for its clients: providing packaging, collection, washing, quality control, repair, and redistribution. This model allows businesses to benefit from reuse without investing in their own infrastructure.

Shuttle packaging : designed for regular back-and-forth movement between two fixed points, such as a factory and a distribution center, these packages are optimized for repetition and traceability.

What types of packaging can be reused?

Even if it exists a few exceptions, almost all of the industrial and commercial packaging can be reused; the main ones are:

Primary food packaging like glass
Industrial and transport packaging like pallets
Logistics and e-commerce packaging like cardboard.

According to ADEME2,75 billion reusable packages of all types were placed on the market in France in 2024, representing a reuse rate of 1,82%. eligible for reuse, Packaging must be designed from the outset to withstand multiple rotations. (transport, industrial washing, filling) and maintain its physical and sanitary integrity

Primary food packaging

Those are packaging in direct contact with the food productTheir reuse is subject to strict health requirements, carried out in approved washing centers.

Glass bottles Glass is the most commonly reused material because it is inert (no particle migration), washable, and infinitely recyclable. In Germany, reusable bottles represent 72% of beverage bottles placed on the market.

Gastronorm containers in stainless steel or food-grade plastic These packages are designed to be robust and withstand hundreds of tunnel wash cycles. These packages are at the heart of the program. Re-uz for ETERNITY dedicated institutional catering.

Hard plastic lidd trays : these are essential packaging for large retailers. ETERNITY with other partners developed the MAY-A solution, a reusable tray intended to replace single-use trays on supermarket shelves.

Reusable cups : for events, festivals, and catering spaces. ETERNITY ensures the washing of thousands of cups per event for partners like Run for Planet.

Industrial buckets and drums These are, for example, packaging for dairy products, fats, sauces, bulk ingredients which are very present in the food industry.

Transport and logistics packaging

Those are the packages which protect and move products between stages of the supply chain.

Rigid plastic crates and containers (Polyethylene, polypropylene): These packages are used extensively in the food industry, large retailers, and logistics. They can withstand 50 to 150 rotations depending on the model, making them one of the most cost-effective reusable packaging options.

Plastic pallets and reinforced wooden pallets : they are reusable over several years with regular maintenance, especially the plastic pallet which is more homogeneous and easier to wash.

Industrial boxes and containers (IBCs, stackable containers): these containers are particularly suitable for transporting fluids, liquid raw materials or bulk products.

Rolls and handling trolleys They are used in e-commerce distribution and logistics for moving goods between warehouses and delivery points. Their reuse generally takes place within closed loops between logistics partners.

E-commerce packaging and logistics

E-commerce packaging These are the containers used to ship online orders directly to the end consumer: parcels, boxes, padded envelopes, cushioning.

For the reuse of these packages, the e-commerce merchant uses the parcels normally to prepare its orders, then a deposit and collection system ensures the return of the packages to a warehouse, their reconditioning, and their re-circulation for a new shipment.

How does a reusable packaging circuit work?

Reusable packaging is not just a product; it also requires the implementation of a... a complete logistics system involving the mobilization of the entire value chain:

Manufacturers
Marketers
Distributors
Reuse operators
Consumers.

An industrial reuse process for packaging is therefore based on 5 key steps:

Step 1 — Use and Collection

The packaging is used by the client company, then collected empty at the end of the cycle. Depending on the model, collection is organized via a return system: in-store collection point, deposit, 1-for-1 exchange, or collection by the delivery person on a subsequent route.

Step 2 — Transport and sorting

The empty packaging is collected and transported to the washing center.Reverse logistics, meaning trucks returning loaded with empty packaging from delivery sites, helps limit empty journeys and reduce the carbon footprint of transport.

Step 3 — Regulated industrial washing

The collected packaging is transported to an industrial washing center. This is the key step that guarantees hygiene, regulatory compliance, and the longevity of the packaging. At ETERNITY SystemsThe washing process follows specific protocols. QHSE strict standards adapted to each type of packaging and each sector (food processing, pharmaceuticals, logistics). The parameters controlled include:

The temperature and duration of the wash cycle.
The concentration and nature of the detergents (validated for food contact if necessary).
Rinsing and the absence of chemical residues.
Water consumption: our closed-loop systems allow us to reuse more than 70% of the water consumed.

Step 4 — Quality control and repair

After washing, each package is inspected. : physical integrity, absence of microbiological contamination, aesthetic condition. Damaged packaging is either repaired (welding, parts replacement), or removed from the loop and directed towards recycling.

Step 5 — Re-entry into circulation and traceability

The cleaned and validated packaging is returned to the customers or to the pooling stock (a shared stock of reusable packaging distributed among several companies or stakeholders in the same sector). Each batch is tracked to guarantee compliance and allow monitoring of the number of rotations. This traceability is essential for the CSR reporting and regulatory compliance.

What are the regulatory requirements for reusable packaging?

The implementing decree of The Anti-Waste Law for a Circular Economy sets binding thresholds for producers who place packaging on the French market:

5% of packaging is reusable in 2023.
10% of packaging is reusable in 2027.

Decree No. 2022-507 of April 8, 2022 adopted pursuant to the AGEC law, specifies the methods for implementing these objectives through two distinct obligations:

The obligation to declare the reuse rate Since 2024, all companies that place at least 10,000 units of packaged products on the market must declare their reuse rate annually, based on the previous year's data. This obligation applies regardless of turnover.

The obligation to reach minimum proportions of reused packaging In addition to the declaration, companies exceeding the threshold of 10,000 units must also reach a minimum rate of reused packaging, the level of which varies according to their turnover and evolves gradually until 2027. In 2027, all producers concerned must reach at least 10% reuse, regardless of their size.

Furthermore, since January 1, 2023, any takeaway food professional with with at least 20 seats establishments are required to provide reusable tableware such as cups, cutlery, and plates. Failure to comply with this requirement is punishable by a fine of €1,500 (€3,000 in case of repeat offense).

Companies must declare their packaging data to ADEME In order to comply with reuse regulations, the obligation to declare reusable packaging applies to all producers, including importers, who place products on the market. The declaration must include the number of reusable and single-use packages in order to calculate the reuse rate.

The advantages of reusable packaging

The benefits of deploying reusable packaging are both environmental and economic:

From an environmental perspective, Reuse drastically reduces resource consumption and greenhouse gas emissions because manufacturing new plastic packaging generates approximately 2 kg of CO₂ per kg of plastic produced. For example, a reused glass bottle becomes more environmentally friendly than a single-use bottle from the fourth use onwards, and can generate up to 79% of greenhouse gases less and consumes 76% less energy over its entire life cycle.

From an economic and strategic point of viewReuse allows companies to reduce their costs of purchasing new packaging and to secure their supplies. This model also promotes local economic activity by creating jobs that cannot be outsourced, dedicated to collection, sorting, and industrial washing.

ETERNITY Systems : the industrial partner for packaging reuse

For more than 30 years, ETERNITY Systems We support companies in the agri-food, logistics, retail, and catering sectors with the washing of reusable packaging. We have processed over 7 billion reusable packages, a figure that testifies to our industrial expertise and the trust our clients place in us.

Industrial washing plastic crates, food-grade containers, buckets, glass bottles, gastronorm containers, cups, trays and pallets — with QHSE protocols adapted to each sector and each material
Dedicated logistics : collection of used packaging, sorting, transport and forwarding to your sites, including internationally (France, Spain, Quebec).
Packaging repair Our teams repair damaged packaging (welding, replacing parts) to extend its lifespan and delay its removal from the loop.
Digital traceability: tracking each batch from its departure from the customer until it is put back into circulation
Program Re-uz for ETERNITY : a solution dedicated to institutional catering for washing gastronorm containers and reusable tableware, with a site to be inaugurated in Blanquefort in 2025
Automated glass sorting in Germany In January 2026, ETERNITY Systems acquired, a German company specializing in the automated sorting of glass bottles and crates for the beverage industry. This acquisition naturally complements the expertise ofETERNITY in industrial washing.

At ETERNITYWhat makes the difference and positions us as an industrial partner in reuse is our ability to manage the entire cycle, from collection to recirculation, including sorting, washing, repair, and traceability of packaging. We are a industrial partner for reuse, not just a cleaning service provider.

Do you want to assess the potential of reuse in your operations? Contact us ETERNITY Systems for an audit of your packaging flows and an estimate of your potential savings.

About the Author

Anthony ADAM

Communications and Marketing Manager at ETERNITY Systems, Anthony designs strategies and content to promote more sustainable consumption. He is a committed agent of change who combines creativity, rigor, and action to strengthen the visibility and impact of projects related to reuse and the circular economy.